Category Archives: Bordeaux

Rolland-Maillet 2005

Posted on July 29, 2009 by RJ

Chateau Rolland-Maillet, Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 Upon first opening this bottle was uncharacteristically rustic for a Rolland wine; patience is rewarded with 10 minutes or so of air. In the mouth however, the fruit is immediately apparent and the texture … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Saint-Emilion | Leave a comment

Rouget 2005

Posted on May 6, 2009 by RJ

Chateau Rouget, Pomerol 2005 This wine shows the classic example of tolerated brett. There are Band-Aids competing with ripe fruits in the nose. With 30 minutes the fruit starts to strut into the open. The mouth features the same with … Continue reading →

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Chateau Gravas 2005

Posted on April 14, 2009 by RJ

Chateau Gravas, Sauternes 2005 The nose features honey, flowers and minerality with an appropriate amount of volatility.  In the mouth, the honey-essence and caramel are there in a light-bodied format with a touch of spiritous character. Previously I wrote: This … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, White Dessert | Leave a comment

Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse 2005

Posted on April 14, 2009 by RJ

Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse, Pauillac, Grand Cru Classe 2005 The nose features sweet black fruit, earthiness and wet stones. In the mouth there is an appropriate amount of acidity, a little on the tart side with ripe tannins and a moderate … Continue reading →

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Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2005

Posted on January 29, 2009 by RJ

Chateau Guiraud, Sauternes 2005 Minerality, honey and tropical fruits mark the nose. The mouth is all caramel with hints of that minerality – destined to be drunk with creme caramel. 85 hectares are planted to 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, White Dessert | Leave a comment

Bastor-Lamontagne Sauternes 2001

Posted on November 18, 2008 by RJ

Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes 2001 This wine displays lots of tropical fruit in the nose, a sense of bananas and pineapple mixed with the mineral edge of appropriate volatility, though too much for some of the class. In the mouth, there … Continue reading →

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La Tour Blanche 2003

Posted on November 6, 2008 by RJ

Chateau La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru 2003 The nose is marked by honey and minerality and appropriate VA. The pungency of the cleanser-like VA will certainly be too much for some as it does interfere with the fruit in … Continue reading →

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Chateau Nenin 2002

Posted on November 6, 2008 by RJ

Chateau Nenin, Pomerol 2002 Stepping back a year to the ’02, there is a sense of earthy cheese rind in the nose. This is much more rustic than the ’03, with ample acidity and chewy tannins. Notes on the newer … Continue reading →

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Clos du Marquis 2003

Posted on November 6, 2008 by RJ

Clos du Marquis, Saint-Julien 2003 There is vibrant sweet, black fruit in the nose. In the mouth you could swear this wine is from the New World. While the structure associated with Bordeaux is on stage in this wine, the … Continue reading →

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Chateau Fombrauge 2005

Posted on November 6, 2008 by RJ

Chateau Fombrauge,Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 The nose is smoky and toasty with tobacco lead and cherries. The sense of pipe tobacco follows through in the mouth ripe red fruits and the structure that you expect in Bordeaux. There is great … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, France, Merlot, Saint-Emilion | Leave a comment